Wildfires can threaten urban spaces; take precautions now

When smoke levels are high, even healthy people may affected. Listen to your body and contact your health care provider if you are experiencing smoke-related health symptoms, including eye, nose, and throat irritation; coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or headaches. Children, older adults, pregnant or nursing women, and people with asthma or heart conditions are at greater risk and should take added precautions.
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A helicopter flies through smoke as it rises from a wildfire in the Siskiyou National Forest near the Rogue River on Thursday, July 26.(Photo: KELLY JORDAN / Statesman Journal)Buy Photo

Pictures reinforce the stories of the devastation a wildfire can cause in seconds. Witness the intensity and speed of California's Carr Fire, which killed two and burned more than 45,000 acres west of Redding and near Shasta Lake by Friday morning.

Images and updated narratives detail the horrors, but many dismiss the flames and smoke as something that can't happen in or near a city such as Salem.

Many valley residents savor living rurally and seek out acreage surrounded by trees, vineyards, rolling hillsides, and crops like grass seed. Others local farms live with constant bone-dry brush conditions.

All of us should take precautions to be prepared for a grass fire or wildfire that threatens personal property.

With the fatal California Carr Fire, which crossed the Sacramento River, burned close to 45,000 acres and destroyed 65 structures overnight Thursday, now seems like a good time to remind Mid-Valley residents there are easy and inexpensive steps that can be taken to protect one's family and personal property in the event a wildfire encroaches.

The University of Nevada's extension program has posted lessons learned from past fatal fires in that state's mostly rural areas.

To live safer in high fire-hazard environments residents should:

Maintain a defensible space:

Managing vegetation around one’s home reduces the threat of wildfire ignition. Dead vegetation,including bark dust, is easily ignited by embers. Cleaning up this plant material can help reduce the risk of wildfire ignition to a home. Be certain to keep bark dust free of dead vegetation and keep it damp.

Prepare for evacuation:

Many fires occur during the middle of the night, which can catch residents off guard, especially if there is no power. Preparing for evacuation before a wildfire occurs includes packing important documents and precious belongings in one location that is easy to grab is essential.

Enroll in the local emergency notification system:

Many residents opt out of having a landline in lieu of a mobile device. But this makes it difficult to notify residents when there is an emergency. Sign up for Salem's alert system at https://www.cityofsalem.net/SalemAlert.

Be ember aware:

Jamie Roice-Gomes, manager and outreach coordinator with the University of Nevada's Cooperative Extension’s Living with Fire Program, says residents also need to ember aware.

Wind-blown embers can travel up to a mile ahead of a wildfire. It’s estimated that 90 percent of homes destroyed during a wildfire are due to wind-blown embers. Close off crawl spaces and be certain not to leave doors open during evacuation.

These tips aren't rocket science. They are simple steps any resident can take now. OK, maybe not now because it's too blooming hot out.

Take stock Salem. We want everyone to be safe.

Carol McAlice Currie is the opinions editor for the Statesman Journal. Reach her at ccurrie@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6746.